The short answer (September 2026): Perkins plans South Florida tile roofs at $1,000–$1,700 per square (100 sq ft) installed for concrete tile and $1,400–$2,500 per square for clay barrel tile. On a simple 30-square roof that is roughly $30,000–$51,000 in concrete and $42,000–$75,000 in clay. A measured inspection sets the real price.
These are the same planning ranges our roof calculator and our roof replacement cost guide use. They are typical South Florida installed prices compiled from published industry cost guides for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. They are planning assumptions, not a Perkins quote.
Concrete vs clay: cost per square
| Tile | Planning range per square (installed) | What the range assumes |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete tile | $1,000 – $1,700 | Flat or S-profile concrete tile on a two-layer underlayment system; framing capacity confirmed on site |
| Clay barrel tile | $1,400 – $2,500 | Clay barrel tile on a two-layer underlayment system; clay sits at the upper end of tile pricing |
Both ranges assume tear-off of one layer, the underlayment or secondary water barrier, standard flashing and the permit. Deck repairs, extra layers, skylights, chimneys, unusual access and the product approvals a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone job requires are priced after a measured inspection.
Example totals: 20, 30 and 40-square tile roofs
Multiply squares by the per-square range. These examples are simple roofs (four or fewer planes).
| Tile | 20 squares (~2,000 sq ft of roof) | 30 squares (~3,000 sq ft) | 40 squares (~4,000 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete tile | $20,000 – $34,000 | $30,000 – $51,000 | $40,000 – $68,000 |
| Clay barrel tile | $28,000 – $50,000 | $42,000 – $75,000 | $56,000 – $100,000 |
Real roofs are rarely that simple. The calculator adds waste and labor for cut-up roofs:
- Waste: 10% on a simple roof, 13% on a moderate roof (five to nine planes), 16% on a complex roof (ten or more).
- Complexity: the range rises 8% on a moderate roof and 18% on a complex one.
A complex 2,700 sq ft tile roof becomes about 31.4 squares after waste. After the complexity factor, that plans at roughly $37,000–$63,000 in concrete tile and $52,000–$93,000 in clay. Planning assumption, not a quote.
What moves a tile roof’s price
The underlayment system
Tile is the visible part. The underlayment underneath is what keeps water out when a tile cracks or a storm drives rain under it. On the Perkins tile roof options page:
- Protector (the base price) uses a single-layer Polyglass TU Plus underlayment under concrete tile.
- Preferred adds a double underlayment (Polyglass MTS Plus and TU Plus) for base plus $160 per square. That is about $4,800 more on a 30-square roof. It can qualify for the Secondary Water Resistance credit on a wind mitigation inspection; whether that lowers your premium depends on your insurer.
How the tile is attached: foam-set or not
Tile can be set in adhesive foam or fastened mechanically, and the attachment method should be named in every proposal. Perkins’ Protector, Preferred and Premium plans set tile in AH-160 dual adhesive foam, listed with a 160-mph wind rating. The lowest plan on the options page, “Penny,” is standard-set concrete tile without the adhesive foam system, priced at base minus $50 to $85 per square depending on the cuts, with a 2-year contractor warranty. The options page marks it “Not recommended”.
Perkins does not publish a separate planning figure for a mechanically fastened tile system. If a bid uses mechanical attachment, ask for its product approval and its price per square in writing.
Concrete or clay, and which clay
Clay sits at the top of tile pricing. On the options page, clay is the Premium plan, starting at base plus $290 per square and varying by style (the options page lists Verea Caribbean at $290, Santa Fe S at $320–$335, Verea Spanish S at $365–$410, Tejas Borja Flat at $340–$520 and Verea Flat at $575 per square). That is at least $8,700 over the base on a 30-square roof.
Coastal exposure
Within 1,500 feet of salt or brackish water, Perkins recommends the Coastal add-on, which upgrades all the metals to aluminum for corrosion resistance. It costs $47.50 per square on any plan, about $1,425 on a 30-square roof, and does not by itself change the warranty.
Warranties
| Plan | Perkins workmanship | Polyglass underlayment | Tile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protector | 7 years | 20 years | 25 years |
| Preferred | 10 years | 30 years | 25 years |
| Premium (clay) | 10 years | 30 years | Up to lifetime, depending on the tile |
HVHZ product approvals in Miami-Dade and Broward
Miami-Dade and Broward counties are the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone [3]. There, every roofing component must have “a valid and current product approval” [3], and Miami-Dade’s Notices of Acceptance (NOAs) are tied to the HVHZ roofing chapter and its test protocols [4]. Fewer approved products and extra attachment requirements tend to push HVHZ tile jobs toward the upper half of each range.
Tear-off and the structure
Existing tile cannot be roofed over. The Florida Building Code requires removing all existing layers down to the deck where the existing covering is clay or cement tile [2]. Tile is also heavy: roof structure must be capable of supporting the roof covering and the loads during installation [2], which is why framing capacity is confirmed on site, especially when a home changes from shingle to tile.
Pitch, deck and access
Steeper roofs have more surface and are slower to work on; the calculator’s pitch factors run from 1.02 (flat) to 1.45 (11/12 and steeper). Rotted sheathing is only visible once the old tile is off, so ask for unit prices for deck and fascia repair in writing. Tight lots, pools and screen enclosures add protection and labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tile roof cost per square in South Florida? Perkins’ 2026 planning ranges are $1,000–$1,700 per square installed for concrete tile and $1,400–$2,500 for clay barrel tile. They are planning assumptions compiled from published South Florida cost guides, not a quote.
How much is a 30-square tile roof? On a simple 30-square roof, roughly $30,000–$51,000 in concrete tile and $42,000–$75,000 in clay, before deck repairs. Complex roofs plan higher because of waste and labor.
Is clay tile more expensive than concrete? Yes. Clay sits at the upper end of tile pricing. On Perkins’ options page, clay is the Premium plan, starting at the base price plus $290 per square and varying by style.
Is a double underlayment worth the extra cost? It is the part that keeps water out when tile cracks or wind drives rain under it. Perkins’ Preferred plan adds a double underlayment for the base price plus $160 per square and can qualify for the Secondary Water Resistance credit on a wind mitigation inspection; whether that lowers your premium depends on your insurer.
Can new tile be installed over my old tile roof? No. The Florida Building Code requires removing existing clay or cement tile down to the deck before a new roof covering is installed.
Why do tile roofs cost more in Miami-Dade and Broward? Both counties are in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, where every roofing component needs a valid and current product approval and extra attachment rules apply. That narrows the product list and tends to put jobs in the upper half of each range.
Next step
If only part of the roof is failing, read tile roof repair: cracked tiles, leaks or a re-roof? first; a local repair may be enough.
Put your own roof in the numbers: the roof calculator measures it from aerial data and shows both tile ranges as a rough estimate, not a quote. Then compare the five tile plans or read about Perkins tile roofing. When you are ready for a measured, written proposal, contact the Miami or Jupiter office.
This guide is general information, not a quote. Price ranges are planning assumptions from the Perkins roof calculator and published Perkins plan prices, checked September 23, 2026. Code citations are to the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023).
Sources
- Perkins Roofing, Tile Roof Options (plan prices, warranties, Coastal add-on). https://perkinsroofing.net/roof-options/tile/
- Florida Building Code, Existing Building, 8th Edition (2023), Sections 706.2 and 706.3 (code text viewer). https://up.codes/viewer/florida/fl-existing-building-code-2023/chapter/7/alterations-level-1
- Florida Building Code, Building, 8th Edition (2023), Section 202 (High-Velocity Hurricane Zone) and Section 1512.2.1 (code text viewer). https://up.codes/viewer/florida/fl-building-code-2023/chapter/15/roof-assemblies-and-rooftop-structures
- Miami-Dade County, Product Approval Notices. https://www.miamidade.gov/global/economy/board-and-code/product-approval-notices.page
- Perkins Roofing, Roof Replacement Cost in South Florida (2026). https://perkinsroofing.net/roof-replacement-cost-south-florida/